Fall Writers Series

Our Hours:

Do you need some inspiration and a few tricks of the trade to kick start a writing project? Jeanette Taylor and Annette Yourk return to the Museum this fall with their popular five-part nonfiction writing course from October 5 to November 2. The sessions are on Sunday afternoons from 1:00 to 4:15 p.m. Topics to be covered range from organizing your research materials and ideas, to generating and shaping narrative content, and a detailed discussion of publishing options.

The instructors have a complementary range of skills to offer. Annette Yourk is a graduate from Simon Fraser University’s Writing and Publishing program, and holds an instructors’ diploma in adult education. She has many years of experience writing and editing, and has created and taught coursework to a range of learners. Jeanette Taylor is a historian/writer with four nonfiction books in print, including River City, A History of Campbell River & the Discovery Islands. Her current project is a history of the Victorian era on Vancouver Island, told through one man’s experience.

Taylor and Yourk use a tag team approach to teaching. “I especially liked the interaction between you two,” wrote Sandra Doran following a recent course. “You obviously get along well, have a lot of respect for each other and have fun.”

The course is geared towards nonfiction writing including history, biography and memoir, but fiction writers also find the material pertinent and inspiring. Participants delve into the material through discussion, in class writing exercises and weekly assignments. While the essential elements of good storytelling is their focus, Taylor and Yourk also touch on some key components of writing craft.

“This course is designed to give students the confidence and tools they need to dive into their writing,” says Taylor. “Our goal is get people past whatever roadblocks they face.”

Some past participants have gone on to have their pieces published. Connie Kretz’s article about Campbell River appeared in Harbour Publishing’s Raincoast Chronicles.

“The techniques offered in this class helped me to move my project forward in a series of smaller steps,” wrote former student Pat Redhead, “each with their own value. Overall, the workshop gave me a methodical process to continue my work.”

Registrants should have a specific writing project as a focus for class exercises. “To get the most from this course,” says Taylor, “it helps to have some or all of your research and story ideas in place before the first class. We help people move from ideas to action.”

Sign up early. Each of the five courses Taylor and Yourk have taught in the region to date have filled to capacity. The fee for the upcoming class at the Museum, on Writing Family History, Biography and Memoir, is $160.00, which includes a binder of comprehensive materials to guide participants’ continuing work. Register through the Museum at 250-287-3103.